Time to put an old friend down

[cz375hh]

My last dog a Brit got old and toward the last was suffering, she was such a great dog[hunting and family] that I could not deal with it. Dad took her to the vet and they gave her an injection.Her insides were hard as a rock because they were not working anymore and as I stated she was in pain..Dad said she just relaxed after the shot and drifted off to sleep, I should have done the right thing sooner...I have not gotten another hunting partner since her death because great dogs like that die much to soon and it is amazing how many things can remind you of a dog like that--I know your what you are going through, dad took the dog home and we buried her next to the garden it was nothing like the cost you were quoted....Do the vet I have done it the other way, all were humane but I can't handle the thought that the last thing my dog would see is me pointing my gun at her....Steve

 

[midnite-penguin]

First of all these are simply my opinions, take them for what they are worth.

My Condolences. I know it sounds a bit trivial in the grand scheme of things but I was in the room when my childhood dog was put down(she slept with her head on my chest every night I would let her from age 7 till 16) - and it was probably the hardest experience of my life to this point. My dog had tumors just TAKE OVER her stomach in like a 6 month period. She lost control of her bowels too, and was in a lot of pain. So I completely know what you are going through.

GO to the vets. That bill sounds a bit high, I would be willing the wager that the majority of that is the cremation, maybe you should consider other option.

How you choose to honor/remember the life of your dog is up to you alone - but maybe I can add some perspective. .Cremating your pet might sound like a great way to always have her around - However if it means you have to "cheap out" on how you end her life - ask yourself if its really fair to the pet. Don't shoot her or (even worse) gas her, man. That is no way to end a 16 year relationship in my opinion.

She looks like a great friend, good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[batosai117]

It is never easy to lose a family friend, my beagle is 11 and I dread the day when my parents call and say "she didn't come for snack this morning." Go with a different Vet, get a better quote, or even try a University as it was stated earlier. I know my University has a big wildlife/ag program and they would be more than willing to assist. Keep the good memories close to heart and just imagine all of the critters she'll be chasing while she waits for you

Take care, J.

 

[CWL]

16 years and you don't want to spend $375?

How much did you pay for that knife in your picture?

 

[dipbait]

375 dollars is high. Its was only 100 dollars when I had to go through it 10 years ago. Try a different vet.

 

[myright]

Sorry to hear that you guys will have to be apart. Please honor the dog by taking it to the vet to be put down humanely. If you do it yourself you will probably be haunted by it for the rest of your life.

Good luck in whatever choice you make.

 

[Echo4v]

I've had to put a few animals down in my life and I'm telling you it doesn't matter if you do it yourself or have the vet do it, you'll never forget it. You have to realize this is the best thing for her and console yourself that no matter how bad it makes you feel it makes her feel better.

David

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

My folks had to put down the family dog just two days ago. It was a hard thing to do, and we all shed some tears, but it was well past his time. Let the vet do it--but make sure you stay with her until she passes. A vet-tech once told me that they look for you if you leave.

 

[GRIM 62]

My Dad has put a couple of his dogs down.I have never done it myself,always opted for the vet.Holding you pet while the vet puts them under is'nt easy either,either way is hard.My condolances.

 

[ieraseu]

$375 sounds really high to me, I'd definitely shop for a better price.

 

[wintermute]

I feel bad for you, but your buddy has had a nice long life. It's great that you got to spend 16 good years with her.

Definitely bring her to the vet, but $375 definitely sounds very high. Like others have said, alot of that might be the cremation cost and you might want to go other routes on that. Rest assured that having the vet do it is the least traumatic way to go. She'll be surrounded by family and she'll just drift off to sleep and her pain will be eased. Stay with her. I've stayed with one dog and walked out on the other, and staying is actually less traumatic.

 

[adaman04]

I'd say let the vet do it. As mentioned $375 semms high. Have you considered having her put down and building a box for her and burying her? That's what we did when I was a kid and our Golden Retriever was declining.

One word of advice, if I may: be there when the vet puts her down. Don't let her go to sleep alone. She's been a good friend and a loyal companion it seems. She'd do the same for you.

Some guys say they'd rather do it themselves, but it's a decision that each person has to make.

Nothing harder than losing a friend. Give her a good meal and lots of love during your time together. Sorry to hear about all this.

Damn allergies.

 

[pvicenzi]

It's a tough thing to deal with. It's been a few years since I went through it, but that vet sounds expensive. I'd contact a different vet.

 

[Mr.Bojangles]

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I concur that you should at least try and find a more affordable vet, work out a payment plan if they're available, and perhaps even forgo the cremation if necessary, or have it done elsewhere. Give her a steak for dinner and lots of treats. It's better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all...I'm sure she had a good 16 years. You're doing the right thing.

 

[mainewoodsman]

I agree with the other comments, call around... I had to put our Shelty down this past Aug, he was in his 15th year. I thought about doing it myself, and decided against it. It's one thing if I was in a remote area and the dog was in extreme pain with no likelyhood of recovery... A local vet charged $140 for the injection, and included burial at an unmarked pet cemetary.

 

[Gaulois]

finaly i have nothing to add here

 

[Masteroffajitas]

Tearing up here, let the vet do it. Say a few prayers and remember her as a good friend.

 

[Pritch]

I'm so sorry, Q. The price sounds about what we paid including cremation. Unless you have access to Phenobarbital, are skilled at administering shots, and have a plan for burial or disposal, I would recommend against doing this yourself.

A word of preparation, here: The drug works very quickly, so say your goodbyes before it is administered. Then just hold and comfort her.

-- FLIX

 

[Kimberholic]

I had a good friend named Sherman. We had to put him down at the end of a losing battle with kidney failure. The vet came to the house and gave him an IV. As soon as the IV valve was opened with the chemical, Sherman went immediately limp. He died instantaneously and with my wife an I by his side. I don't remember the cost but it didn't matter. He was a good friend who's memory lives on and who will always be missed. Do your friend one last favor and call the vet. Best to you because I know it is a tough time.

 

[Infi-del]

The vet is the most painless way and will let your dog go in peace. It's a small price to pay for 16 years of devotion. A good friend like that deserves to go in a peaceful way. Though I would not cremate the Dog. Were it mine, I'd bury it on my property and plant something over the grave so that the dog could be remembered for years to come. My Irish Setter Rosey died a few years back and I planted an October Glory Maple over her grave (since she was red I thought she deserved a super red tree). Now every year that tree gets a little bigger and in the fall it turns a lovely shade of red and reminds me of a good friend that I still miss.